The California Department of Fish and Game will recommend that the Northeast Pacific population of white sharks be listed as a threatened or endangered species under the state’s Endangered Species Act.

The state officials said there is “sufficient scientific information” to indicate that the petition action may be warranted. Now it will recommend that the Fish and Game Commission accept the petition and list the white shark. White sharks already are a protected species in California and off limits to recreational and commercial fishermen.

White sharks have been protected in all California waters since January 1, 1994. The DFG regulations state that white sharks many not be taken under a sport fishing license or a commercial fishing license.

The Fish and Game Commission meets Feb. 6 in Sacramento. If the Commission accepts the Department’s petition, it will start a one-year status review before any final decision on the listing is made.